New Blog

I ran out of space on this blog.  It won't let me load anymore pictures. Instead of deleting everything, I created a WHOLE NEW BLOG :) Yes, it can get confusing when the address is almost exactly the same.  However, its not.  So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, take a minute to change the address to...... (ready for it????)

annaalexbeal.blogspot.com

There you have it my friends. :)

Trick-or-Treat

Family Pictures

Family Picture Time!

I LOVE Fall and we haven't had family pictures taken since Logan was a baby.

My cousin's wife Govi said she had a professional camera and would do them free.  I must say for someone who is not a professional, we got some pretty good shots.

 

 

Dejah's Baptism

On October 13th Our Little Girl Dejah got baptized.

We started the day off by going to the temple open house.  It was the first day open to the community and it was really exciting to be able to take our family inside together.  It was exciting to see the beautiful updates, but the most amazing part was when we walked into the sealing room.  That was where Alex and I were Sealed for Time and Eternity.  I think I was the first person in the group to step inside, so there was almost no one in the room. My heart literally swelled inside me.  It was a beautiful experience.  I can honestly say I haven't felt that in a really long time.  Those are the moments in my life when I am reminded that the Lord does know me and loves me.

 We decided it would be better for Dejah to be baptized in Kuna.  We had just moved and still really don't know anyone out here in Eagle.  Kuna has been our home for the last 6 years.  Dejah was 2 when we first moved there.  All her friends and church leaders were there for the big day.  It was bitter-sweet.

 Dejah was so nervous, but very excited.  When the baptism was over she had a huge grin on her face.  She walked out of the font to my outstretched towel and said "Mom, can I do it again???"  I had to laugh.  I told her when she turns 12 she can go to the Temple where we saw the baptismal font and do it again and again for those people who have died and never had the opportunity to choose to be baptized.  I am a proud Mama.  Dejah is my "perfect" child.  She is mostly well behaved, kind, and fun to be around.  She loves her friends and family.  She is a Happy Girl and a joy to be around.

 Alex and I extended his family tradition and made Dejah a candy gram for her big day.

Farmstead Fun

Every year we take the kids out to the Farmstead before it opens for "Media Day".  Basically the news channels come and film Jim talk about the big opening and then they fly a helicopter over to take pictures.  This year they put up a new attraction....."The Creature".  The little ones were completely fascinated!

Here is Logan and his little buddy Jax.

 

 

Just Because its Right, Doesn't Make it Easy

What a crazy couple of weeks.  As soon as I knew what direction we were headed with our house, the ball started rolling.  The renter I had didn't work out so I quickly re-listed the house.  We got some new renters.  Small family with two kids.  We'll see how they do.

I had to figure out where my girls were going to school.  That was hard.  Apparently the schools out here in Eagle are mostly charter or magnet schools, which requires an application.  There are two open enrollment schools and one of them is year round.  Anyway, not a big fan of year round so I chose Eagle Hills.

We had a list of things to do to our house to make it rent ready.  Broken Mailbox, Broken lock on sliding door, re caulk bathrooms, buy a fridge, the list goes on.  Then my parents had to get their house ready.  Oh my.  Years of stuff collected needed to find a new place.  I organized a yard sale.  The turn out was ok, but nothing too special.  At the end of the day a couple people volunteered to come haul off the leftovers.  My parents just closed their eyes and off it went.

After that we started the clean up and making space for our stuff.  The basement isn't ready.  My Mom and Dad wanted to take the opportunity to finish most of the basement.  Lets just say they have been working really hard everyday to get us down there. Back at our house we started packing a cleaning.  We picked up a Uhaul on a Tuesday evening and finished unloading it at my parents house Wednesday evening.  Thursday and Friday we cleaned cleaned cleaned.  Saturday the carpet cleaner came and we signed a lease with our new tenants.

Right now, our stuff is stored out in the shop and the garage.  We are sleeping upstairs in the two guest rooms and living out of boxes.  It is kinda crazy, but at least my girls are started in their new school.  They are liking it so far.

As for me.  Lets just say I haven't gone one day without crying yet.  Its been hard.  I miss my friends.  My stupid little house.  My ward.  My girls school schedules.  My DVR, My space.  I feel really bad for being in my parents space.  I have tons of emotions running through me constantly.  I feel out of place.  Embarrassed. I just don't feel like myself.  Logan has asked everyday if we can go home now.  Lexi is extra needy.  Logan's potty training is also at a hault.  He'll go pee in the toilet, but he refuses to go #2.  He holds it for days.  He's a pretty stubborn kid, so I guess I'm not too surprised.

Everyday seems do get a little easier for me.  I think it will get even better when we get to move downstairs.  For now, I am just trying to adjust to my new schedule and being completely out of my comfort zone.

We Are Moving!

....Say Whaaaaat??????

When did this all happen?  What is going on?  Where are you going?

Back in February of this year Alex and I came to the conclusion that something had to change for us financially.  We had been scraping so hard for so many years that we finally could not keep up with the expenses and our expanding family.  Either he needed to somehow start making a lot more money, or we needed to do something about our RIDICULOUS mortgage. 

Six years ago we bought our little "starter" home in Kuna.  Somehow we were convinced that it was ok to get into two mortgages.  A primary loan with a 6.6% interest rate, and a secondary loan with a 9.3% interest rate....oh and by the way that one is a Balloon! We were thinking, no big deal, we will just sell it in a few years, get some equity, then buy another house.  Our monthly payments were awful. The housing market tanked.  Goodbye equity.  Goodbye buyers. Long story short, here we are today, trying with all our might to get control of our finances. 

At first it was a huge source of tension for Alex and I.  We could not agree on the right course of action.  I was resolved to just short sale the house.  Alex wanted to try to get them to work with us.  We both wanted to be honest.  How do you even do that these days?  No wonder so many people just walk away.  First off, the banks could care less about you!  It is as simple as that.  We had one lucky break and we were able to refinance our first mortgage.  We signed a new 30yr mortgage with a 4.3% interest rate.  It was a miracle, but it did not free us from the looming 9.3% interest balloon loan.  That one is a killer.  We made a decision to stop paying that mortgage and present a settlement to the bank.  We decided that if they didn't accept that, we would just short sale.  It has taken ALL SUMMER!  Two days ago after feeling overwhelmed with the lack of response from the bank, I did something that I definitely don't do enough....GET, ON, MY, KNEES.

I pled with the Lord to give us an answer soon.  I prayed that the bank would make a decision quickly and that I would feel good about it and also that I would have the strength to face whatever comes next.  In my mind they would either take the settlement and I would be resolved to live in this little house for a long time to come, Or.. the bank would turn us down and we would have to leave.  THAT EVENING folks!.....we got our answer.  The bank turned down our offer to settle.  They told us we could short sale, but they could still come after us for the second.  What a blow! 

Yesterday my Mom called with a proposition.  Instead of selling the house, put it up for rent.  We can live in their basement which comes fully equipped with 3bds, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, and a living space.  I mean the square footage is bigger than our current house.  We could stay there rent free and take the rent money we make and knock down our 2nd mortgage.  Sounds crazy and not so fun for my hubby, but who gets this chance?  I will tell you this, my parents have a place in heaven.  They are the first people to extend a helping hand to those in need.  They have done it with many before us and we couldn't be more grateful.  The light bulb went on and I just knew this was the right step. 

This morning I listed our house for rent to be available by October 1st (two weeks) and I got someone who will be a great tenant!  Maybe I'll tell her story later, but I couldn't be more pleased. With that being said, I have been overwhelmed with  sadness.  We have been here for six years!  We have had three of our four babies in this house. Christmases, Snow sledding, sitting by the pool, last minute dollar tacos, the list goes on. I have made the best friends I could ever ask for, they are literally like sisters to me and it tears me up to leave them.  I drive by my girls school and think about all the great friends my little Dejah has made.  She has talked about them everyday since she started school three years ago.  You would think the way I talk that we are moving far, and as much as I tell myself that 30 minutes is not that far, I am also reminded that it isn't close either.  Anyway, I need to stop crying about it.  I still know this is the right thing.  It will be new and scary and will be better for our financial future.  So there it is in a nutshell.  I have two weeks to get everything packed, moved and cleaned.  Wish us luck!

Annual Beal Reunion at Redfish Lake

Every summer the Beals get together at Redfish Lake.  Lots of food and fun.  I haven't been in a few years because of little babies.  So it was a good time.  Here are some pictures of our trip.

Alex and the kids at the Lake

 

 Christy and Spencer

Dejah and cousin Ruth

Alex's brothers Chase and Hart

We were right next to the little playground

Alex's twin brother Lance helped all the kids catch a fish at the Hatchery

Gabe and Baby Bennette

 Chillin out in the camper

 

Grandpa playing UNO with the grandkids

I love having a camper!